Irreversible Principle of Separating Investigation and Prosecution Included in Reform
Dispelling Misunderstandings of Discord Between Presidential Office and Ruling Party
Emphasis on Unity as One Team
President Lee Jaemyung and the ruling party leadership have agreed to process a revision of the Government Organization Act, which includes the irreversible principle of separating investigation and prosecution, at a plenary session of the National Assembly before Chuseok. This move directly addresses the perception that there may be differences in the pace of prosecutorial reform between the presidential office, the government, and the ruling party.
On the 20th, Democratic Party Chief Spokesman Park Soo-hyun announced in a written briefing, "At 6:30 p.m. today, Party Leader Chung Cheongrae and the party leadership attended a dinner hosted by President Lee Jaemyung, which also served as an introductory meeting, and they had a conversation that lasted more than two hours."
The notable point at this dinner was that the government and the ruling party aligned their views on the pace of prosecutorial reform. Chief Spokesman Park stated, "The government and the ruling party clearly confirmed that they will pursue prosecutorial reform without disagreement or wavering," adding, "They agreed to include the fundamental principle of separating investigation and prosecution in the revision of the Government Organization Act before Chuseok."
He continued, "Subsequent measures will be continuously pursued by the government after thorough preparation," and added, "Leader Chung expressed his gratitude to the President, while Floor Leader Kim Byungki said, 'The separation of investigation and prosecution itself is a major transformation.'"
Leader Chung has consistently advocated for the completion of prosecutorial reform before Chuseok since his candidacy for party leader. However, recent remarks by President Lee and Prime Minister Kim Minseok emphasizing the need to perfect the prosecutorial reform bill led to speculation that the pace of reform might be adjusted.
At this dinner, President Lee's support for the opinions of the ruling party leadership is interpreted as an effort to dispel misunderstandings about discord between the presidential office and the ruling party, and to emphasize the unity of the government and the ruling party.
The ruling party plans to focus on passing the revision of the Government Organization Act at the plenary session of the National Assembly before Chuseok. An attendee at the dinner said, "If it passes at the plenary session, the Prosecutors' Office will be abolished."
The dinner was reportedly held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. According to Chief Spokesman Park's briefing, President Lee congratulated Leader Chung on his election and said, "Let the party and the government maintain a cooperative relationship as one team so that the public can feel the effectiveness of the new administration." In response, Leader Chung said, "As the ruling party, we will do our utmost to support the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration by taking responsibility and delivering results," adding, "Let us work together as one."
Attendees at the dinner included President Lee, Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sangho, as well as Leader Chung, Floor Leader Kim, Supreme Council members Jeon Hyunhee, Han Junho, Kim Byungjoo, Lee Eonju, Hwang Myungseon, Seo Samseok, and Policy Committee Chair Han Jeongae.
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